19 February 2024 – Following its acquisition of the Betta Milk brands from TasFoods Limited on December 1, 2023, Bega Group has concluded its strategic review of its Tasmanian operations and is today announcing that it will be relocating the manufacture of the Betta Milk and Pyengana milk brands to its existing Lenah Valley site in Hobart.
“Betta Milk has been a household name in Tasmania for over 65 years, and this move is critical to ensuring that the Betta Milk and the Pyengana milk brands will continue to be much-loved Tasmanian made brands for many years to come,” said Pete Findlay, Chief Executive Officer, Bega Group.
The Burnie site that manufactures the Betta Milk and the Pyengana milk brands is an ageing facility that has a number of challenges including its safety and environmental impacts. This, combined with the site not operating in a commercially sustainable way, will see the manufacture of these brands transition to Bega Group’s Lenah Valley site. Customer service and logistics will be integrated into Bega Group’s existing supply chain. These changes will all take effect from 18 March 2024.
Manufacturing at Kings Meadows will continue given the site’s unique capabilities.
Bega Group is working closely with the employees who have been affected by this announcement, offering redundancy packages, and exploring redeployment opportunities. Of the employees that have been impacted; 23 are located in Burnie, 14 in Launceston, 13 in Kings Meadows, 10 in Hobart and 2 in Melbourne.
Pete Findlay went on to say, “Today’s decision was not an easy one to make, and we are working hard to manage this change respectfully with all employees, suppliers, customers, and partners. Bega Group is committed to continuing its strong local presence in Tasmania, through its Lenah Valley and Kings Meadows operations, sourcing milk from Tasmanian dairy farming families.”
Burnie and Northern Tasmania remain an important region for Bega Group. Betta Milk is synonymous with Northern Tasmania, and we look forward to strengthening our connection to the local and surrounding areas through various community initiatives.
Betta Milk and the Pyengana milk brands, along with Meander Valley Dairy will continue to be made from high quality Tasmanian milk and these proud locally made brands will play an important role within Bega Group’s portfolio.
ENDS
For further media enquiries, please contact public.relations@bega.com.au.
About Bega Group
Bega Group has a long and uniquely Australian history that all started with humble beginnings in dairy when it was founded in 1899. Australian owned and operated, Bega Group produces, markets, and distributes a wide range of high-quality products for domestic and international markets, including some of Australia’s most iconic and loved food brands and products. Bega Group continues to build a dairy and food business capable of servicing customers and consumers in Australia, and around the world, with high quality products from dairy and agriculture regions in Australia.